World s oldest choral society accuses No 10 of strangling choirs with draconian restrictions
Halifax Choral Society, founded in 1817, has condemned latest Government guidance which bars more than six choristers singing indoors
24 May 2021 • 8:33pm
Roger Harvey (R) chairman of the Halifax Choral Society, which has performed for over 200 years
Credit: Charlotte Graham
The world s oldest choral society has accused the Government of strangling choirs with last-minute draconian restrictions.
Under guidance issued last Tuesday by Downing Street only six choristers can perform indoors with thirty allowed outside.
This will affect over two million members of England’s 40,000 amateur choirs.
It marked an abrupt U-turn in Government policy which had previously allowed church choirs to perform indoors in groups over six in England from April 12.
The Story of Christmas
Since 1978, the Story of Christmas carol concerts have annually raised funds in aid of disadvantaged children and the homeless. This year, readings come from Olivia Colman, Dame Judi Dench, Captain Sir Tom Moore and plenty of other famous faces and while the pre-recorded show will be available to watch free on YouTube, donations are encouraged.
Free, available now,
Virtual carols from the Alzheimer’s Society
Scouting for Girls are among those putting on quite the show for the Alzheimer’s Society, while there’ll also be a performance from Paul Harvey, a composer and former music teacher who has dementia. Carey Mulligan hosts, with guests including Sir Trevor McDonald. The night is free, but donations will directly support those who live with Alzheimer’s, as well as their families.